Total Wipeout Axed by BBC

By Luke Stevenson /

Total Wipeout, a comedy gameshow hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram, has been axed by the BBC, it has been confirmed today. The show, which has run for 4 years, will finish after one final run. The BBC programme which saw contestants race along an obstacle course in the hopes of winning a cash prize has been an incredibly successful show for the BBC, peaking with over 5 million viewers on average. Sadly however, 2011's spin off 'Winter Wipeout' averaged less than 4 million per episode which, though respectable, most likely isn't enough for Saturday prime time and has left the show surplus to requirements for the British Broadcasting Corporation. A BBC rep said:

"After four very successful series of Total Wipeout - and one series of Winter Wipeout - the BBC has taken the decision that the next series, due to transmit later this year, will be the last,"
A show with a devoted fan base, it will be missed, eventhough it had gotten tired in recent years as the obstacle courses lacked variety and once you've seen one idiot fall over and hurt themselves, you've seen them all. It's unfortunate though, as this was a Richard Hammond fronted show which saw him be somewhat genuine and quite funny as opposed to the still funny, but tired, short-man-syndrome bit he does on Top Gear. This will be a difficult slot for the BBC to replace as there is still love for the comedy assault course genre, the US cousin of the show is more successful than ever so if the BBC can find a new way of creating the same value entertainment it may prove a ratings smash, just as long as they go nowhere near 101 Ways to Leave a Gameshow...You've been warned. What do you think? Will you miss Total Wipeout? Or do you think it had gotten tired? Leave your comments below!

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